Anita Dahiya1,2, Rebecca Courtemanche1,3, Douglas J Courtemanche1,3. 1. Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2. Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 3. Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize current Cleft Palate Program (CPP) practices and evaluate the timeliness of appointments with respect to patient age and diagnosis based on American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) population guidelines and CPP patient-specific recommendations. DESIGN: A retrospective review of CPP patient appointments from November 6, 2012, to March 31, 2015, was done. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. SETTING: The study was conducted using data from the CPP at BC Children's Hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 1214 appointments were considered in the analysis, including syndromic and nonsyndromic patients of 0 to 27 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of patients meeting follow-up targets by ACPA standards and CPP team recommendations. RESULTS: Our results showed patients 5 years and younger or nonsyndromic were more likely to be seen on time (P < .001). No relationship between the timeliness of an appointment and specific patient diagnoses or distance to clinic was found. With the exception of nursing (97% of appointments were on time), all disciplines had less than 45% of appointments on time with 51% of appointments meeting ACPA guidelines for timeliness and 32% of all appointments meeting CPP recommendations. CONCLUSION: Timely care for the cleft/craniofacial patient populations represents a challenge for the CPP. Although half of patients may meet the general ACPA guidelines, only 32% of patients are meeting the CPP patient-specific recommendations. To provide better patient care, future adjustments are needed, which may include improved resource allotment and program support.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize current Cleft Palate Program (CPP) practices and evaluate the timeliness of appointments with respect to patient age and diagnosis based on American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) population guidelines and CPP patient-specific recommendations. DESIGN: A retrospective review of CPP patient appointments from November 6, 2012, to March 31, 2015, was done. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. SETTING: The study was conducted using data from the CPP at BC Children's Hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 1214 appointments were considered in the analysis, including syndromic and nonsyndromic patients of 0 to 27 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of patients meeting follow-up targets by ACPA standards and CPP team recommendations. RESULTS: Our results showed patients 5 years and younger or nonsyndromic were more likely to be seen on time (P < .001). No relationship between the timeliness of an appointment and specific patient diagnoses or distance to clinic was found. With the exception of nursing (97% of appointments were on time), all disciplines had less than 45% of appointments on time with 51% of appointments meeting ACPA guidelines for timeliness and 32% of all appointments meeting CPP recommendations. CONCLUSION: Timely care for the cleft/craniofacial patient populations represents a challenge for the CPP. Although half of patients may meet the general ACPA guidelines, only 32% of patients are meeting the CPP patient-specific recommendations. To provide better patient care, future adjustments are needed, which may include improved resource allotment and program support.
Authors: Alexander C Allori; Thomas Kelley; John G Meara; Asteria Albert; Krishnamurthy Bonanthaya; Kathy Chapman; Michael Cunningham; John Daskalogiannakis; Henriette de Gier; Andrew A Heggie; Cristina Hernandez; Oksana Jackson; Yin Jones; Loshan Kangesu; Maarten J Koudstaal; Rajiv Kuchhal; Anette Lohmander; Ross E Long; Leanne Magee; Laura Monson; Elizabeth Rose; Thomas J Sitzman; Jesse A Taylor; Guy Thorburn; Simon van Eeden; Chris Williams; John O Wirthlin; Karen W Wong Journal: Cleft Palate Craniofac J Date: 2016-05-25